Device for marking X-ray negatives



. May 10, 1960 R, s, GREE ETAL 2,936,370

DEVICE FOR MARKING X-RAY NEGATIVES Filed May 21, 1959. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1IN VEN TORS lioberi 63 Greer; Gmrles Z. Sir-Myer IM-9a,,

May 10, 1960 R. s. GREEN ETA!- 2,936,370

DEVICE FOR MARKING X-RAY NEGATIVES Filed May 21, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Lint-In! JJOE finite- 1 t s Parent o 2,936,370 DEVICE FOR MARKING X-RAYNEGATIVES Robert S. Green, Kennett, Mo., and Charles E. Stringer,

allas, Tex.

Application May 21, 1959, Serial No. 814,935

, 4 Claims. Cl. 250-67) .(Granted under Title as, us. Code 1952 see.266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by orfor the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of anyroyalty thereon.

' The present invention relates to a device for marking X-ray negativesand more particularly for marking X-ray negatives taken by body-sectionradiography.

Body-section radiography is known by a variety of names; but regardlessof the particular name used, the purpose and principles of operationremain the same. Body-section radiography is radiography of a particularplane or layer of body structure, the purpose of which is to show detailin radiographs of structures, which in conventional radiography wouldnormally be obscured by superimposition. In conventional radiography,absence ofmotion during exposure isessential; otherwise, movemeritcauses blurring on the radiograph and destroys the sharpness of detailwhich is necessary. In body-section radiography, motion during exposureis essential, the proper movement in general being the movement of theX-ray tube in one direction and the X-ray film in the oppositedirection.

. The apparatus used in body-section radiography comprises a table, anadjustable fulcrum usually attached to onelsideedge of the table, anoverhead X-ray tube, an pivoted on the fulcrum attached at one end tothe K-ray tube and at the other end to a tray which is located under thetable and carries the cassette. After the depth within the body of thepart to be examined is determined, usually by means of conventionalradiographs, the fulcrum is adjustedso that it is on the same plane asthe part to be examined. Although both the overhead X-ray tube and theX-ray film carried by the cassette under the table move in oppositedirections during the period of exposure in body-section radiography,since they are connected at opposite ends of the arm and the arm ispivoted at the fulcrum, there is no movement at the fulcrum and thesection of the body at which the radiograph is taken. Consequently, thepart to be examined is not blurred; whereas, those sections above andbelow the fulcrum are blurred by the movement. The result in theobtaining of a radiograph of a part within the depth of the body whichin conventional radiographs would be obscured by superimposition ofother parts lying above or below it.

The X-ray identification marking system used in body section radiographyhas been a troublesome procedure to radiologists for many years. Threemethods have been used, but none has been satisfactory. In one method,the label is applied directly to the film by the use of large leadnumbers; however, this method is unsatisfactory because the blurringefiect produced by the movement of the X-ray tube and the X-ray filmmakes the numbers hardly readable and results in a considerable part ofthe film being occupied in order for the numbers to be recognized. In asecond method, a typewritten label is used and is photographed by alight labeling method. This method is objectionable because thetypewritten label must be reproduced to 12 times for each Indias andhandled for each examination. Increased use of bodyice vidualexamination; the labels are too small; and the human error in mixing thelabels is a definite problem. In a third method, the film is shielded inpart during the examination, and then after the complete set ofbodysection radiographs has been taken, it is re-exposed by a burn-inprocedure in order to produce a practical, readable and positiveidentification for each film. This method is objectionable because ofthe time consuming effort and the increased human error induced due tothe multiple steps through which the film must be processed sectionradiography in recent years has created a great need for a satisfactorymarking system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for markingX-ray negatives simultaneously with exposure of the patient duringbody-section radiography.

-It is another object of this invention to provide a device to achievemarking the X-ray negatives which results in clearly readableidentification but eliminates costly film spoilage and wastage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device to achieveclearly readable markings on the X-ray negatives in body-sectionalradiography but eliminate multiple handling by the operator, therebygreatly reducing the time required by the operator to conduct theexamination, the possibility of human error, and the exposure of theoperator to dangerous radiation hazard. A further object of theinvention is to provide a device which is simple in structure andinexpensive in cost.

Additional objects and a more complete understanding of the inventionmay be obtained by referring to the following description and claimstaken in conjunction with. the accompanying drawings which show anillustrative embodiment of the construction forming the basis Fig. 2 isa perspective view in detail of the partially inserted tray and cassettewith that portion of the inven:

tion which is mounted on the tray; and

Fig. 3 is ,a top view in detail showing that portion of the inventionwhich is mounted on the tray.

Referring to Fig. 1, some of the standard items of the equipment used intaking body-section radiographs are shown as overhead X-ray tubeapparatus 1, table 2, tray 3, cassette 4, and cassette clamp assembly 5.The tray 3 is normally inserted under table 2 so that the filmin'cassette 4 is under the body of the patient who is in position on thetable; 'however, tray 3 is illustrated in a partially inserted positionin order that the instant invention may be visible and its partsidentified and described.

Referring further to the drawings, vertical bar 6 is attached at itsupper end to the frame of overhead X-ray tube apparatus 1, and at itslower end to horizontal bar 7. Horizontal bar 7 has at one end anupwardly curved elbow 8 which receives vertical bar 6. Vertical bar 6 isconnected at its upper end by means of swivel joint 10 and at its lowerend by means of swivel joint 11, permitting movement of tray 3 into andout of position under table 2. Horizontal bar 7 is held in position byslip bearing 12, which permits rotational and slidable movement, and bystationary fitted bearings 13 which permits only rotational movement.Attached to horizontal bar 7 at the end adjacent bearing 13 is piniongear 14 which operates rack 15. Base 20 is attached to cassette clamp 5and supports bearing 13 and holders 19. Rack 15 is attached to carriage16 and slidably moves the carriage by means of washer type bearings 17sliding on rods 18 which are held in position by holders 19 attached tobase 20. Label 21 carries standard X-ray opaque letters and numerals toPatented May 10-, 1960 achieve desired identification of the X-ray filmcontained within cassette 4, and the label is removably attached to arm22 of carriage 16 so that the label moves slidably on the surface ofcassette 4 in response to the movement of carriage 16.

When body-section radiographs are taken, as generally explained in aprevious paragraph, overhead X-ray tube apparatus 1 and tray 3 carryingcassette 4 move relative to each other in the conventional manner.Movement of overhead X-ray tube apparatus 1 is also transmitted throughvertical bar 6, curved elbow 8, horizontal bar 7, pinion gear 14, rack15 and carriage 16 to label 21 causing label 21 to move relative tocassette 4; Thus, rn'ovement of overhead X-ray tube apparatus 1 istransmitted to label 21 in such a manner that the identifying datacontained on the label is not blurred but is in focus, thereby giving areadable marking on the film obtained simultane ously with thebody-section radiograph. 7

We claim:

1. A film marking device for use in an X-ray apparatus for takingbody-section radiographs including a support member, an adjustablefulcrum attached to said support member, an Xray tube mounted above saidsupport member, an arm pivoted on the fulcrum having oneend attached tosaid X-ray tube and the other end attached to a tray under said supportmember, and a cassette releasably mounted on said tray, said filmmarking device comprising, in combination, transport means for a labelhav-' ing thereon X-ray opaque identifying indicia, said trans portmeans carrying the label above the surface of said cassette for slidablemovement thereover, means for moving said label transport means relativeto said cassette and across a portion thereof, and means for connectingsaid X'-ray tube to said label transport means whereby said label movesin response to movement of said X-ray tube.

2. A film marking device for use in an X-ray apparatus for takingbody-section radiographs including a support member, an adjustablefulcrum attached to said support member, an X-ray tube mounted abovesaid support member, an arm pivoted on the fulcrum having one endattached to the X-ray tube and the other end attached to a tray undersaid support member, a cassette releasably mounted on said tray, saidfilm marking device comprising in combination a carriage for a labelhaving thereon X-ray opaque identifying indicia, said carriagesupporting the label above the surface of said cassette for slidablemovement thereover, gear drive means connecting said 4 X-ray tube andsaid carriage to transmit movement of said X-ray tube to said carriageto move the label relative to said cassette.

3. A film marking device for use in an X-ray apparatus for takingbody-section radiographs including a support member, an adjustablefulcrum attached to said support member, an X-ray tube mounted abovesaid support member, an arm pivoted on the fulcrum having one endattached to the X-ray tube and the other end attached to a tray undersaid support member, a cassette releasably mounted on said tray, saidfilm marking device comprising in combination a carriage for a labelhavingv thereon X-ray opaque identifying indicia, said carriagesupporting the label above the surface of said cassette for slidablemovement thereover, a plurality of parallel rods in fixed spacedrelationship carried by said tray to which said carriage is attached forslidable movement thereon, a rack and pinion gear with said rackattachedto said carriage, and connecting means between said pinion gear and saidX-ray tube to transmit movement of said X-ray tube to said carriage tomove the label relative to said cassette.

4. A film marking device for use in an X-ray apparatus for takingbody-section radiographs including a support member, an adjustablefulcrum attached to said support member, an X-ray tube mounted abovesaid support member, an arm pivoted on the fulcrum having one endattached to the X-ray tube and the other end attached to a tray undersaid support member, a cassette releasabb mounted on said tray, saidfilm marking device comprising;

in combination a carriage for a label having thereon X- ray opaqueidentifying indicia, said carriage supporting the label above thesurface of said cassette for slidable movement thereover, a plurality ofparallel rods in fixed spaced relationship carried by said tray to whichsaid car riage is attached for slidable movement thereon, a rack andpinion gear with said rack attached to said carriage and parallel tosaid parallel rods, a hori zontal bar rigidly connected at one end tosaid pinion 'gear' and having at its other end an upwardly curved elbow,and a vertical bar connected between, said elbow and said X-ray tube,said vertical bar transmitting movement of said X-ray tube to saidhorizontal bar whereby amational movement is imparted to saidhorizontalbaraiid' pinion gear causing said carriage to slidably movethe label relative to said cassette.

No references cited.

